COUNCIL MEETING
February 28, 2006 7:30 P.M.
The Medford Township Meeting of the above date was convened
by Mayor Post, followed by the salute to the flag and
reading of the Open Public Meetings Act Statement.
Mr. David
Brown Present
Mr. Christopher Myers Present
Mr. Walter Urban Present
Deputy Mayor Scott Rudder Absent
Mayor Lisa A. Post Present
PROFESSIONALS PRESENT
Michael Achey, Acting Township Manager
John Crafchun, Manager's Office
Richard Hunt, Township Solicitor
Christopher Noll, Township Engineer
William Kirschner, Engineer's Office
Robert Nehila, Auditor
MINUTES
Public Session Minutes and Executive Minutes - February 14, 2006
Mr. Brown moved for approval of the Public Session and Executive Session minutes of February 14, 2006. The motion was seconded by Mr. Urban.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
MANAGER'S REPORT
1. Donated Fire Truck
Michael Achey announced the donation of a 100 foot ladder
truck to Medford Township from the Riverside Fire Department.
Chief Kehoe stated that Mr. Clancy, Chief of the Taunton
Fire Department, was credited with investigating the possibility
of Medford obtaining this truck after one of Medford's
trucks was severely damaged in an accident.
Mayor Post thanked Mr. Clancy for investigating and obtaining
this truck that Riverside no longer needed. Equipment
was also contributed along with the truck.
Council and Chief Kehoe expressed their gratitude to Riverside Township for their generous contribution which will greatly benefit the township.
PUBLIC
Barbara Knouse, 239 Church Road, stated her uncle had
taken good care of the
truck and she is elated that it now belongs to Medford.
2. Read Across America Proclamation
Mayor Post presented a proclamation on "Read Across America" to Mr. Thomas Olson of the school district. March 2, 2006 is set aside for "Read Across America Day." Mr. Olson thanked Council for the proclamation and encouraged Council members to participate in this day by reading to the students in the schools.
3. Bill List
Mr. Achey presented the bill list for payment.
Mr. Achey had previously entertained and answered questions with regard to the payment of the bills. There being no further questions, the bill list was approved for payment as presented.
ENGINEER'S REPORT
1. Christopher Noll and William Kirshner, of the Engineer's Office, gave a presentation on upgrades to the sewer plant which are necessary to get the phosphorus level up to today's required standards. This will be an eight year plan which will not expand the plant, but upgrade the existing systems. This will allow for backup equipment to be utilized in case the existing equipment needs to be shut down for maintenance or repairs.
Mr. Kirshner further stated this will be done in phases.
Developers of new construction projects are required to
make sizable contributions for the sewer plant which will
alleviate some of the burden to the taxpayers.
SOLICITOR'S REPORT
1. Mr. Hunt advised that he will make recommendations
on Ordinance 2006-1
and 2006-3 when they come up for second reading on tonight's
agenda.
PUBLIC
1. Phyllis Dorn, 11 Mississippi Trail, came before Council to express her concerns about property which is not kept in good condition affecting the values in her neighborhood. She stated with the increase in property values, she feels a need for an ordinance which will help control properties that are delinquent in their upkeep. She is concerned with an unregistered boat covered by several tarps, a landscaping business run from a neighboring home in her development and general debris in the neighborhood.
Mayor Post said Mr. Funaro, Director of Planning and
Zoning, had done all in
his power under the current ordinance. Council has issues
with these
problems, and Mayor Post requested Mr. Hunt to review
the information and
to report on his findings.
ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION
ORDINANCE 2006-4 "CALENDAR YEAR 2006 "CAP" ORDINANCE TO EXCEED THE MUNICIPAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION LIMITS AND TO ESTABLISH A CAP BANK (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14)"
Mr. Brown moved for approval of the ordinance, advertisement and set date of March 28, 2006, for public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Mr. Robert Nehila, Auditor, explained that the "CAP BANK" allows for the unused portion of the allowance to be banked for future use. It can be banked for up to two years.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
ORDINANCE FOR PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE 2006-1 "AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, ESTABLISHING MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM SALARIES AND WAGES FOR OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD"
Mr. Brown moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Mr. Hunt advised that due to a clerical error, the ordinance will have to be amended. The salary for the Assistant Public Works Director was incorrectly listed.
Mayor Post moved to amend the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Brown.
Roll call vote to amend as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
Mayor Post opened the meeting to the public.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Brown moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.
Roll call vote to close the public portion as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye and Mayor Post, aye.
Roll call vote for adoption as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
ORDINANCE 2006-3 "AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MEDFORD, COUNTY OF BURLINGTON, STATE OF NEW JERSEY, VACATING A PORTION OF CHAIRVILLE ROAD"
Mr. Urban moved for adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Mr. Myers.
Mr. Hunt advised that the ordinance will be adopted at this time, but the road will not be vacated until the construction of Medford Crossing is commenced.
Mr. Urban moved to amend the ordinance to include the attachment, seconded by Mr. Brown.
Roll call vote to amend as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye and Mayor Post, aye.
Mayor Post opened the meeting to the public.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Brown moved to close the public hearing, seconded by Mr. Urban.
The motion for amendment was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
Roll call vote for adoption as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION 71-2006 "Declaring the Gypsy Moth a
Public Nuisance and Authorizing a Gypsy Moth Program"
Mr. Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Myers.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Crafchun advised that the neighborhoods and schools in the areas to be treated will be notified prior to the spraying. Several developments within the township will be treated and some will require a second treatment. The cost is expected to be $67,000.
Roll call vote for approval as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
RESOLUTION 72-2006 "Memorializing Motion Authorizing
Award of Emergency Contract"
Mayor Post moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Myers.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
Roll call vote for adoption as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
RESOLUTION 73-2006 "Resolution for Deferred 2005
Local School Taxes"
Mr. Urban moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Myers.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
Roll call vote for adoption as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
RESOLUTION 74-2006 "Introduction of the 2006 Medford
Municipal Budget"
Mr. Brown moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Urban.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
Mr. Urban thanked Mr. Brown, Michael Achey, John Crafchun, Katherine Burger and Robert Nehila for their help on the budget committee.
Roll call vote for adoption as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
RESOLUTION 75-2006 "Declaring the Mosquito a Public
Nuisance and Authorizing Aerial Larval Mosquito Control"
Mr. Myers moved for approval of the resolution, seconded
by Mr. Brown.
Mayor Post opened the meeting for public comments.
There were no public comments.
Roll call vote for adoption as follows: Mr. Brown, aye, Mr. Myers, aye, Mr. Urban, aye, and Mayor Post, aye.
COMMUNICATION
Mr. Urban advised Council of a rally to be held in Trenton
on March 16th regarding state aid to municipalities for
schools. To register one can contact the 8th Legislative
District.
Mayor Post reminded Council of a Pinelands event to be
held on March 30th in Pemberton Township. The League of
Municipalities will hold a seminar on March 11th for newly
elected officials.
Mayor Post announced that the State has purchased the
Dr. Still property in Medford and intends to preserve
it as a focal point for Black History. Dr. Still was known
as the "Black Doctor of the Pines". Tours will
start here in Medford and there are plans for trails to
be built throughout the state. This project is expected
to take three to five years.
OLD BUSINESS
NONE
NEW BUSINESS
1. New Volunteer Firefighter Application - Don Raman
Mr. Urban moved to approve the firefighter application, seconded by Mr. Myers.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
2. Social Affair Permit -St. Vincent DePaul - Al Tumolillo Fund
Mr. Urban moved to approve the Social Affair Permit, seconded by Mr. Myers.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
Mr. Brown told of his acquaintance with Mr. Al Tumolillo who was left in a paralyzed state after an accident. The proceeds of this event, planned for Mr. Tumolillo, will help defray some of the expenses of needed medical equipment.
3. Raffle Application for American Cancer Society
Mr. Urban moved to approve the raffle application, seconded
by
Mr. Myers.
The motion for approval was duly made, seconded and affirmatively
voted upon by all Council present.
PUBLIC
NONE
Mr. Urban moved to close the public portion of the meeting, seconded by Mr. Brown.
The motion to close the public portion of meeting was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING
Mayor Post advised that the purpose of the Executive Session is to discuss litigation and property acquisition.
Resolution 76-2006 "Authorizing Executive Session"
Mr. Myers moved for approval of the resolution, seconded by Mr. Brown.
The motion for approval to adjourn to Executive Session at 8:35 P.M. was duly made, seconded and affirmatively voted upon by all Council present.
Mayor Post provided that action will not be taken in Executive Session.
RECONVENING OF MEETING
Mayor Post reconvened the meeting at 10:28 P.M.
She reported litigation and property acquisition had been discussed in Executive Session and that no action had taken place.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mr. Brown moved that the meeting be adjourned at 10:32 P.M., seconded by Mr. Myers with all members in agreement.
Respectfully submitted,
Joyce F. Frenia, RMC
Township Clerk
Next meeting scheduled for: March 14, 2006